Anne here, talking about parasols, which seem to have gone out of fashion, and brollies, which seem eternal. (Do you know the term 'brollies'? It's a slang term for umbrellas, but I'm not sure if it's used in the USA.) 
I've always had a fascination with brollies and parasols, and for many years had this poster on display in my office. Gorgeous, isn't it — a vintage poster from 1925 advertising transport to the Summer Sales in the UK— clearly a much damper season than it is in Australia.
If you're interested in etymology, the word parasol is made up of para, meaning to stop or shield and sol meaning sun. The French for umbrella is parapluie, pluie meaning rain, but the English word comes from the Latin umbra or the Greek ombros, meaning shade, and elle meaning small — and thus an umbrella means small shadow, and the earliest references to it in English seem to indicate it was a sunshade, rather than rain protection.
According to the OED, an early mention of an umbrella was in 1611 by T. Coryate: "Many of them doe carry other fine things.., which they commonly call in the Italian tongue vmbrellaes… These are made of leather something answerable to the forme of a little cannopy & hooped in the inside with divers little wooden hoopes that extend the vmbrella in a prety large compasse."
I liked this little rhyme, from 1716
Good houswives..underneath th'Umbrella's oily Shed,
Safe thro' the wet on clinking Pattens tread. (J. Gay Trivia i. 14 )
A leather umbrella would be pretty heavy to carry I guess. When my parents lived in Malaysia, we went traveling up to Thailand and I fell in love with the gorgeous oiled paper and bamboo parasols to be found there, but they were pretty heavy, too. I used them for lampshades and for decoration, but almost never as a sun-shade or umbrella, for though they were reputed to repel water, I never wanted to risk it.
To me, umbrellas have always been a practical thing, not nearly as romantic or pretty as a parasol. Or perhaps it's the association with sunshine and fun, rather than cold gray wet weather. 
Whatever the purpose, they've been around for centuries. In Ancient Egypt a parasol was used to protect the tender heads of royalty. Here's a parasol fixed to a carriage, found in the entombed Chinese terracotta army of 210 BC. In ancient Greece, a parasols were widely used among well-born ladies. The Chinese style of umbrella or parasol probably came to western Europe via trade and the Silk Road, and mentions are made of them from around the middle of the 17th century.
In England, before 1800, parasols were invariably made of green fabric, perhaps because the green-tinted shade would moderate a rosily flushed complexion. Here's a painting of a young Jane Austen, holding a green parasol. (Jane Austen, by Ozias Humphry, 1788.) After 1800 parasols became smaller.
But I fell in love with parasols because of the many gorgeous paintings of them, perhaps because they came into fashion around the end of the 18th century, and also perhaps because they were so suited to the light, lush style of painting the Impressionists brought.
Just look at these paintings. Don't they make you want to be one of those women holding a parasol? 
My favorites are from the Australian painter E. Phillips Fox (1865-1915) and from Karl Albert Buehr (1866-1952) a German-born American painter, who painted so many lush, colorful paintings with parasols. That's a Buehr on the right.
Here's a lovely family scene from E. Phillips Fox.
And which of us would say no to this exploration of the London docks, with a bonnie Scottish soldier as escort?
Anyone for a session reading under this lovely parasol? 
Or this? — it's another gorgeous Buehr painting.
What about you — do you own a parasol? I presume you own a brolly — do you call it a brolly or umbrella or something different? And if you could be in one of these paintings, which would you choose, and what would you be doing?
No parasol, but lots of umbrellas at my house. In an antique store recently I saw a long, narrow canvas envelope with embroidery saying “parasol.” It was for keeping parasols nice when not in use. My favorite “picture” of parasols is the end of the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis.” The whole family is going off to the world’s fair and every woman has a fancy lace parasol to go with her dress.
No parasol, but lots of umbrellas at my house. In an antique store recently I saw a long, narrow canvas envelope with embroidery saying “parasol.” It was for keeping parasols nice when not in use. My favorite “picture” of parasols is the end of the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis.” The whole family is going off to the world’s fair and every woman has a fancy lace parasol to go with her dress.
No parasol, but lots of umbrellas at my house. In an antique store recently I saw a long, narrow canvas envelope with embroidery saying “parasol.” It was for keeping parasols nice when not in use. My favorite “picture” of parasols is the end of the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis.” The whole family is going off to the world’s fair and every woman has a fancy lace parasol to go with her dress.
No parasol, but lots of umbrellas at my house. In an antique store recently I saw a long, narrow canvas envelope with embroidery saying “parasol.” It was for keeping parasols nice when not in use. My favorite “picture” of parasols is the end of the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis.” The whole family is going off to the world’s fair and every woman has a fancy lace parasol to go with her dress.
No parasol, but lots of umbrellas at my house. In an antique store recently I saw a long, narrow canvas envelope with embroidery saying “parasol.” It was for keeping parasols nice when not in use. My favorite “picture” of parasols is the end of the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis.” The whole family is going off to the world’s fair and every woman has a fancy lace parasol to go with her dress.
These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.
I reckon the distinction between parasol & brolly is a very Anglo-centric thing, linked perhaps to perceptions of weather. If you come from some place subtropical/tropical, ‘rain’ and ‘sun’ aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. In my neck of the woods – where there’s a broad mix of Asian cultures – I’ll usually see one or two women a week during summer using a brolly as a parasol. Of course, there’d be those who would say that when in Melbourne, it’s prudent to carry a brolly all year round, no matter what the weather looks like when you leave home.
These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.
I reckon the distinction between parasol & brolly is a very Anglo-centric thing, linked perhaps to perceptions of weather. If you come from some place subtropical/tropical, ‘rain’ and ‘sun’ aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. In my neck of the woods – where there’s a broad mix of Asian cultures – I’ll usually see one or two women a week during summer using a brolly as a parasol. Of course, there’d be those who would say that when in Melbourne, it’s prudent to carry a brolly all year round, no matter what the weather looks like when you leave home.
These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.
I reckon the distinction between parasol & brolly is a very Anglo-centric thing, linked perhaps to perceptions of weather. If you come from some place subtropical/tropical, ‘rain’ and ‘sun’ aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. In my neck of the woods – where there’s a broad mix of Asian cultures – I’ll usually see one or two women a week during summer using a brolly as a parasol. Of course, there’d be those who would say that when in Melbourne, it’s prudent to carry a brolly all year round, no matter what the weather looks like when you leave home.
These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.
I reckon the distinction between parasol & brolly is a very Anglo-centric thing, linked perhaps to perceptions of weather. If you come from some place subtropical/tropical, ‘rain’ and ‘sun’ aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. In my neck of the woods – where there’s a broad mix of Asian cultures – I’ll usually see one or two women a week during summer using a brolly as a parasol. Of course, there’d be those who would say that when in Melbourne, it’s prudent to carry a brolly all year round, no matter what the weather looks like when you leave home.
These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.
I reckon the distinction between parasol & brolly is a very Anglo-centric thing, linked perhaps to perceptions of weather. If you come from some place subtropical/tropical, ‘rain’ and ‘sun’ aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. In my neck of the woods – where there’s a broad mix of Asian cultures – I’ll usually see one or two women a week during summer using a brolly as a parasol. Of course, there’d be those who would say that when in Melbourne, it’s prudent to carry a brolly all year round, no matter what the weather looks like when you leave home.
Never owned a parasol myself, but my maternal grandfather’s third wife, whom I consider my granny, once showed me one – which had belonged to her mother. It was clearly from the XIXth century; it was embroidered with some faded gold thread and it had golden tassels. I wonder how she had come in possession of it, since she had never been part of the elite. I have no idea what happened to that lovely parasol – I would have cherished it.
We call an umbrella ‘o umbrelă’ – and a parasol is ‘o umbrelă de soare’ (soare = sun). If it’s small and delicate, we could even say it’s ‘o umbreluţă de soare’ – the suffix ‘uţă’ being used for small objects.
I have an umbrella which could be used as a parasol, too – but no one uses parasols these days (I wear hats). I mean the umbrella in question is a lady’s umbrella, with a beautiful pattern and a red coral handle (!) It looks very feminine, yet the metal parts are quite sturdy :p and it is really great at keeping one safe against the rain. I’m not an ‘umbrella person’ myself, as I usually wear raincoats so I could have my hands free in order to carry bags, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like… looking at umbrellas and parasols. :p (By the way, this 2 in 1 umbrella also belonged to my granny.) It’s not exactly like this one, as the pattern resembles Celtic knots, but it may serve the purpose of helping you imagine it: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ca/88/9f/ca889f06ef830418bd9403c9bf1d0bef.jpg
Never owned a parasol myself, but my maternal grandfather’s third wife, whom I consider my granny, once showed me one – which had belonged to her mother. It was clearly from the XIXth century; it was embroidered with some faded gold thread and it had golden tassels. I wonder how she had come in possession of it, since she had never been part of the elite. I have no idea what happened to that lovely parasol – I would have cherished it.
We call an umbrella ‘o umbrelă’ – and a parasol is ‘o umbrelă de soare’ (soare = sun). If it’s small and delicate, we could even say it’s ‘o umbreluţă de soare’ – the suffix ‘uţă’ being used for small objects.
I have an umbrella which could be used as a parasol, too – but no one uses parasols these days (I wear hats). I mean the umbrella in question is a lady’s umbrella, with a beautiful pattern and a red coral handle (!) It looks very feminine, yet the metal parts are quite sturdy :p and it is really great at keeping one safe against the rain. I’m not an ‘umbrella person’ myself, as I usually wear raincoats so I could have my hands free in order to carry bags, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like… looking at umbrellas and parasols. :p (By the way, this 2 in 1 umbrella also belonged to my granny.) It’s not exactly like this one, as the pattern resembles Celtic knots, but it may serve the purpose of helping you imagine it: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ca/88/9f/ca889f06ef830418bd9403c9bf1d0bef.jpg
Never owned a parasol myself, but my maternal grandfather’s third wife, whom I consider my granny, once showed me one – which had belonged to her mother. It was clearly from the XIXth century; it was embroidered with some faded gold thread and it had golden tassels. I wonder how she had come in possession of it, since she had never been part of the elite. I have no idea what happened to that lovely parasol – I would have cherished it.
We call an umbrella ‘o umbrelă’ – and a parasol is ‘o umbrelă de soare’ (soare = sun). If it’s small and delicate, we could even say it’s ‘o umbreluţă de soare’ – the suffix ‘uţă’ being used for small objects.
I have an umbrella which could be used as a parasol, too – but no one uses parasols these days (I wear hats). I mean the umbrella in question is a lady’s umbrella, with a beautiful pattern and a red coral handle (!) It looks very feminine, yet the metal parts are quite sturdy :p and it is really great at keeping one safe against the rain. I’m not an ‘umbrella person’ myself, as I usually wear raincoats so I could have my hands free in order to carry bags, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like… looking at umbrellas and parasols. :p (By the way, this 2 in 1 umbrella also belonged to my granny.) It’s not exactly like this one, as the pattern resembles Celtic knots, but it may serve the purpose of helping you imagine it: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ca/88/9f/ca889f06ef830418bd9403c9bf1d0bef.jpg
Never owned a parasol myself, but my maternal grandfather’s third wife, whom I consider my granny, once showed me one – which had belonged to her mother. It was clearly from the XIXth century; it was embroidered with some faded gold thread and it had golden tassels. I wonder how she had come in possession of it, since she had never been part of the elite. I have no idea what happened to that lovely parasol – I would have cherished it.
We call an umbrella ‘o umbrelă’ – and a parasol is ‘o umbrelă de soare’ (soare = sun). If it’s small and delicate, we could even say it’s ‘o umbreluţă de soare’ – the suffix ‘uţă’ being used for small objects.
I have an umbrella which could be used as a parasol, too – but no one uses parasols these days (I wear hats). I mean the umbrella in question is a lady’s umbrella, with a beautiful pattern and a red coral handle (!) It looks very feminine, yet the metal parts are quite sturdy :p and it is really great at keeping one safe against the rain. I’m not an ‘umbrella person’ myself, as I usually wear raincoats so I could have my hands free in order to carry bags, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like… looking at umbrellas and parasols. :p (By the way, this 2 in 1 umbrella also belonged to my granny.) It’s not exactly like this one, as the pattern resembles Celtic knots, but it may serve the purpose of helping you imagine it: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ca/88/9f/ca889f06ef830418bd9403c9bf1d0bef.jpg
Never owned a parasol myself, but my maternal grandfather’s third wife, whom I consider my granny, once showed me one – which had belonged to her mother. It was clearly from the XIXth century; it was embroidered with some faded gold thread and it had golden tassels. I wonder how she had come in possession of it, since she had never been part of the elite. I have no idea what happened to that lovely parasol – I would have cherished it.
We call an umbrella ‘o umbrelă’ – and a parasol is ‘o umbrelă de soare’ (soare = sun). If it’s small and delicate, we could even say it’s ‘o umbreluţă de soare’ – the suffix ‘uţă’ being used for small objects.
I have an umbrella which could be used as a parasol, too – but no one uses parasols these days (I wear hats). I mean the umbrella in question is a lady’s umbrella, with a beautiful pattern and a red coral handle (!) It looks very feminine, yet the metal parts are quite sturdy :p and it is really great at keeping one safe against the rain. I’m not an ‘umbrella person’ myself, as I usually wear raincoats so I could have my hands free in order to carry bags, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like… looking at umbrellas and parasols. :p (By the way, this 2 in 1 umbrella also belonged to my granny.) It’s not exactly like this one, as the pattern resembles Celtic knots, but it may serve the purpose of helping you imagine it: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ca/88/9f/ca889f06ef830418bd9403c9bf1d0bef.jpg
I have had so many umbrellas over the years. I’m very good at losing them. Lost more than I care to count over the years.
Parasols are lovely. They belong to a slower paced, more graceful age that had no sunblock. They wouldn’t be practical in the fast paced life style we have today.
Gail (above) mentions “Meet Me In St. Louis” which I also thought of as I was reading the post. Also pictured photographs of my own family members taken about the same time (early 20th century).
I have had so many umbrellas over the years. I’m very good at losing them. Lost more than I care to count over the years.
Parasols are lovely. They belong to a slower paced, more graceful age that had no sunblock. They wouldn’t be practical in the fast paced life style we have today.
Gail (above) mentions “Meet Me In St. Louis” which I also thought of as I was reading the post. Also pictured photographs of my own family members taken about the same time (early 20th century).
I have had so many umbrellas over the years. I’m very good at losing them. Lost more than I care to count over the years.
Parasols are lovely. They belong to a slower paced, more graceful age that had no sunblock. They wouldn’t be practical in the fast paced life style we have today.
Gail (above) mentions “Meet Me In St. Louis” which I also thought of as I was reading the post. Also pictured photographs of my own family members taken about the same time (early 20th century).
I have had so many umbrellas over the years. I’m very good at losing them. Lost more than I care to count over the years.
Parasols are lovely. They belong to a slower paced, more graceful age that had no sunblock. They wouldn’t be practical in the fast paced life style we have today.
Gail (above) mentions “Meet Me In St. Louis” which I also thought of as I was reading the post. Also pictured photographs of my own family members taken about the same time (early 20th century).
I have had so many umbrellas over the years. I’m very good at losing them. Lost more than I care to count over the years.
Parasols are lovely. They belong to a slower paced, more graceful age that had no sunblock. They wouldn’t be practical in the fast paced life style we have today.
Gail (above) mentions “Meet Me In St. Louis” which I also thought of as I was reading the post. Also pictured photographs of my own family members taken about the same time (early 20th century).
Strictly American so I always call it an umbrella even when I’m using it as a parasol. Definitely use an umbrella for shade because it makes a bigger shade spot than just a hat and I get way too hot too fast. I’ve even taken beach walks with my sisters because the sun in June is just too hot for me.
Yes it looks dorky but when it is a matter of me lasting or melting in a puddle of goo….well, dork wins over goo.
I do have one umbrella with butterflies and flowers on it so it looks fun and more parasol like.
Strictly American so I always call it an umbrella even when I’m using it as a parasol. Definitely use an umbrella for shade because it makes a bigger shade spot than just a hat and I get way too hot too fast. I’ve even taken beach walks with my sisters because the sun in June is just too hot for me.
Yes it looks dorky but when it is a matter of me lasting or melting in a puddle of goo….well, dork wins over goo.
I do have one umbrella with butterflies and flowers on it so it looks fun and more parasol like.
Strictly American so I always call it an umbrella even when I’m using it as a parasol. Definitely use an umbrella for shade because it makes a bigger shade spot than just a hat and I get way too hot too fast. I’ve even taken beach walks with my sisters because the sun in June is just too hot for me.
Yes it looks dorky but when it is a matter of me lasting or melting in a puddle of goo….well, dork wins over goo.
I do have one umbrella with butterflies and flowers on it so it looks fun and more parasol like.
Strictly American so I always call it an umbrella even when I’m using it as a parasol. Definitely use an umbrella for shade because it makes a bigger shade spot than just a hat and I get way too hot too fast. I’ve even taken beach walks with my sisters because the sun in June is just too hot for me.
Yes it looks dorky but when it is a matter of me lasting or melting in a puddle of goo….well, dork wins over goo.
I do have one umbrella with butterflies and flowers on it so it looks fun and more parasol like.
Strictly American so I always call it an umbrella even when I’m using it as a parasol. Definitely use an umbrella for shade because it makes a bigger shade spot than just a hat and I get way too hot too fast. I’ve even taken beach walks with my sisters because the sun in June is just too hot for me.
Yes it looks dorky but when it is a matter of me lasting or melting in a puddle of goo….well, dork wins over goo.
I do have one umbrella with butterflies and flowers on it so it looks fun and more parasol like.
What fun, Anne! I never thought of the etymologies of the different words, though they make perfect sense. I’d call a beach umbrella an overgrown stepchild of the parasol. *G* I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone use and actual parasol. I like sun hats–easier to keep track of!
What fun, Anne! I never thought of the etymologies of the different words, though they make perfect sense. I’d call a beach umbrella an overgrown stepchild of the parasol. *G* I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone use and actual parasol. I like sun hats–easier to keep track of!
What fun, Anne! I never thought of the etymologies of the different words, though they make perfect sense. I’d call a beach umbrella an overgrown stepchild of the parasol. *G* I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone use and actual parasol. I like sun hats–easier to keep track of!
What fun, Anne! I never thought of the etymologies of the different words, though they make perfect sense. I’d call a beach umbrella an overgrown stepchild of the parasol. *G* I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone use and actual parasol. I like sun hats–easier to keep track of!
What fun, Anne! I never thought of the etymologies of the different words, though they make perfect sense. I’d call a beach umbrella an overgrown stepchild of the parasol. *G* I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone use and actual parasol. I like sun hats–easier to keep track of!
I have a few umbrellas, since they break so easily, and a couple of times I got caught in a downpour and had to run into one of the 24/7 drug store chains here in NYC to buy yet another one.
I have one with a canopy that is heavy, so I don’t use it unless it’s really bad weather.
I had a parasol made of nylon with a lovely pattern of flowers I purchased from a street vendor in Times Square for $10.00.
It ended up crushed when it fell out of a shopping cart I threw it in without realizing it fell through the openings of the cart just as traffic started coming from the other side of the street.
I only realized it was gone when I got upstairs. I ran out to the street, and there it was in pieces. I haven’t replaced it. I just use a light purple umbrella when the sun is hot like it is now at the end of August with 90 degree temperatures.
I would choose to be in the last Buehr painting. It looks like a good-sized parasol, so I could relax in Central Park, read and watch families and babies around me as they walk around and picnic.
I have a few umbrellas, since they break so easily, and a couple of times I got caught in a downpour and had to run into one of the 24/7 drug store chains here in NYC to buy yet another one.
I have one with a canopy that is heavy, so I don’t use it unless it’s really bad weather.
I had a parasol made of nylon with a lovely pattern of flowers I purchased from a street vendor in Times Square for $10.00.
It ended up crushed when it fell out of a shopping cart I threw it in without realizing it fell through the openings of the cart just as traffic started coming from the other side of the street.
I only realized it was gone when I got upstairs. I ran out to the street, and there it was in pieces. I haven’t replaced it. I just use a light purple umbrella when the sun is hot like it is now at the end of August with 90 degree temperatures.
I would choose to be in the last Buehr painting. It looks like a good-sized parasol, so I could relax in Central Park, read and watch families and babies around me as they walk around and picnic.
I have a few umbrellas, since they break so easily, and a couple of times I got caught in a downpour and had to run into one of the 24/7 drug store chains here in NYC to buy yet another one.
I have one with a canopy that is heavy, so I don’t use it unless it’s really bad weather.
I had a parasol made of nylon with a lovely pattern of flowers I purchased from a street vendor in Times Square for $10.00.
It ended up crushed when it fell out of a shopping cart I threw it in without realizing it fell through the openings of the cart just as traffic started coming from the other side of the street.
I only realized it was gone when I got upstairs. I ran out to the street, and there it was in pieces. I haven’t replaced it. I just use a light purple umbrella when the sun is hot like it is now at the end of August with 90 degree temperatures.
I would choose to be in the last Buehr painting. It looks like a good-sized parasol, so I could relax in Central Park, read and watch families and babies around me as they walk around and picnic.
I have a few umbrellas, since they break so easily, and a couple of times I got caught in a downpour and had to run into one of the 24/7 drug store chains here in NYC to buy yet another one.
I have one with a canopy that is heavy, so I don’t use it unless it’s really bad weather.
I had a parasol made of nylon with a lovely pattern of flowers I purchased from a street vendor in Times Square for $10.00.
It ended up crushed when it fell out of a shopping cart I threw it in without realizing it fell through the openings of the cart just as traffic started coming from the other side of the street.
I only realized it was gone when I got upstairs. I ran out to the street, and there it was in pieces. I haven’t replaced it. I just use a light purple umbrella when the sun is hot like it is now at the end of August with 90 degree temperatures.
I would choose to be in the last Buehr painting. It looks like a good-sized parasol, so I could relax in Central Park, read and watch families and babies around me as they walk around and picnic.
I have a few umbrellas, since they break so easily, and a couple of times I got caught in a downpour and had to run into one of the 24/7 drug store chains here in NYC to buy yet another one.
I have one with a canopy that is heavy, so I don’t use it unless it’s really bad weather.
I had a parasol made of nylon with a lovely pattern of flowers I purchased from a street vendor in Times Square for $10.00.
It ended up crushed when it fell out of a shopping cart I threw it in without realizing it fell through the openings of the cart just as traffic started coming from the other side of the street.
I only realized it was gone when I got upstairs. I ran out to the street, and there it was in pieces. I haven’t replaced it. I just use a light purple umbrella when the sun is hot like it is now at the end of August with 90 degree temperatures.
I would choose to be in the last Buehr painting. It looks like a good-sized parasol, so I could relax in Central Park, read and watch families and babies around me as they walk around and picnic.
I own two umbrellas that remain in a drawer because I hate to use them. I would rather wear a hat or a hood and leave my hands free. I love the old photos of ladies with parasols, it just looks so elegant. My mother used to have an old Doris Day print (can’t tell you from what) and she carried this teeny tiny striped parasol and it always made me giggle. Just seemed like such a waste. I work on a college campus surrounded by MANY nationalities and it is not unusual to see girls walking around with umbrellas when it’s 100 degrees here.
I own two umbrellas that remain in a drawer because I hate to use them. I would rather wear a hat or a hood and leave my hands free. I love the old photos of ladies with parasols, it just looks so elegant. My mother used to have an old Doris Day print (can’t tell you from what) and she carried this teeny tiny striped parasol and it always made me giggle. Just seemed like such a waste. I work on a college campus surrounded by MANY nationalities and it is not unusual to see girls walking around with umbrellas when it’s 100 degrees here.
I own two umbrellas that remain in a drawer because I hate to use them. I would rather wear a hat or a hood and leave my hands free. I love the old photos of ladies with parasols, it just looks so elegant. My mother used to have an old Doris Day print (can’t tell you from what) and she carried this teeny tiny striped parasol and it always made me giggle. Just seemed like such a waste. I work on a college campus surrounded by MANY nationalities and it is not unusual to see girls walking around with umbrellas when it’s 100 degrees here.
I own two umbrellas that remain in a drawer because I hate to use them. I would rather wear a hat or a hood and leave my hands free. I love the old photos of ladies with parasols, it just looks so elegant. My mother used to have an old Doris Day print (can’t tell you from what) and she carried this teeny tiny striped parasol and it always made me giggle. Just seemed like such a waste. I work on a college campus surrounded by MANY nationalities and it is not unusual to see girls walking around with umbrellas when it’s 100 degrees here.
I own two umbrellas that remain in a drawer because I hate to use them. I would rather wear a hat or a hood and leave my hands free. I love the old photos of ladies with parasols, it just looks so elegant. My mother used to have an old Doris Day print (can’t tell you from what) and she carried this teeny tiny striped parasol and it always made me giggle. Just seemed like such a waste. I work on a college campus surrounded by MANY nationalities and it is not unusual to see girls walking around with umbrellas when it’s 100 degrees here.
I would love to have a parasol. It would make me feel so delicate and ladylike. But I think the only ones I’ve ever seen in real life are sticking out of tall drinks with hunks of fruit in them. Pity.
I would love to have a parasol. It would make me feel so delicate and ladylike. But I think the only ones I’ve ever seen in real life are sticking out of tall drinks with hunks of fruit in them. Pity.
I would love to have a parasol. It would make me feel so delicate and ladylike. But I think the only ones I’ve ever seen in real life are sticking out of tall drinks with hunks of fruit in them. Pity.
I would love to have a parasol. It would make me feel so delicate and ladylike. But I think the only ones I’ve ever seen in real life are sticking out of tall drinks with hunks of fruit in them. Pity.
I would love to have a parasol. It would make me feel so delicate and ladylike. But I think the only ones I’ve ever seen in real life are sticking out of tall drinks with hunks of fruit in them. Pity.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” here in real life. Funny that I never noticed the parasol scene. I grew up in SOUTH St. Louis. This is half of the political entity of the city of St. Louis, but “never the twain” of North and South St. Louis shall meet! — up to a point. My brother-in-law grew up in North St Louis. After marriage they lived in south St. Louis County (different political entity) but socially part of “South St. Louis.” So we have “South St. Louis” and county, “North St. Louis” and county, and in the county only a wedge between them called th “West End.” Kensington Avenue is less than half a mile north of Forest Park ( which was the fairgrounds in 1904). Should have been walkable? No, because most of the action at the fair was on what is now the south side of the park; so they truly needed that trolley.
My grandfather worked at one of the ice-maker displays, so his daughters has free passes to the fair and went as often as they liked. And his ice-making machines are a part of why we have ice cream cones.
As to umbrellas/parasols; we keep a collapsable umbrella in each car, so as to have one with us when we need it. I only use one when the rain is truly wet, but not so heavy it bouches up from the ground. When it’s that heavy you get soaked anyway, and an umbrella is just extra load.
In the 1930s my sister and I each had a child-sized parasol every summer. Made of oriental patterned oiled paper over the usual umbrella framework, they didn’t last through a winter. I think we mostly used them for make believe, but I do remember them fondly.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” here in real life. Funny that I never noticed the parasol scene. I grew up in SOUTH St. Louis. This is half of the political entity of the city of St. Louis, but “never the twain” of North and South St. Louis shall meet! — up to a point. My brother-in-law grew up in North St Louis. After marriage they lived in south St. Louis County (different political entity) but socially part of “South St. Louis.” So we have “South St. Louis” and county, “North St. Louis” and county, and in the county only a wedge between them called th “West End.” Kensington Avenue is less than half a mile north of Forest Park ( which was the fairgrounds in 1904). Should have been walkable? No, because most of the action at the fair was on what is now the south side of the park; so they truly needed that trolley.
My grandfather worked at one of the ice-maker displays, so his daughters has free passes to the fair and went as often as they liked. And his ice-making machines are a part of why we have ice cream cones.
As to umbrellas/parasols; we keep a collapsable umbrella in each car, so as to have one with us when we need it. I only use one when the rain is truly wet, but not so heavy it bouches up from the ground. When it’s that heavy you get soaked anyway, and an umbrella is just extra load.
In the 1930s my sister and I each had a child-sized parasol every summer. Made of oriental patterned oiled paper over the usual umbrella framework, they didn’t last through a winter. I think we mostly used them for make believe, but I do remember them fondly.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” here in real life. Funny that I never noticed the parasol scene. I grew up in SOUTH St. Louis. This is half of the political entity of the city of St. Louis, but “never the twain” of North and South St. Louis shall meet! — up to a point. My brother-in-law grew up in North St Louis. After marriage they lived in south St. Louis County (different political entity) but socially part of “South St. Louis.” So we have “South St. Louis” and county, “North St. Louis” and county, and in the county only a wedge between them called th “West End.” Kensington Avenue is less than half a mile north of Forest Park ( which was the fairgrounds in 1904). Should have been walkable? No, because most of the action at the fair was on what is now the south side of the park; so they truly needed that trolley.
My grandfather worked at one of the ice-maker displays, so his daughters has free passes to the fair and went as often as they liked. And his ice-making machines are a part of why we have ice cream cones.
As to umbrellas/parasols; we keep a collapsable umbrella in each car, so as to have one with us when we need it. I only use one when the rain is truly wet, but not so heavy it bouches up from the ground. When it’s that heavy you get soaked anyway, and an umbrella is just extra load.
In the 1930s my sister and I each had a child-sized parasol every summer. Made of oriental patterned oiled paper over the usual umbrella framework, they didn’t last through a winter. I think we mostly used them for make believe, but I do remember them fondly.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” here in real life. Funny that I never noticed the parasol scene. I grew up in SOUTH St. Louis. This is half of the political entity of the city of St. Louis, but “never the twain” of North and South St. Louis shall meet! — up to a point. My brother-in-law grew up in North St Louis. After marriage they lived in south St. Louis County (different political entity) but socially part of “South St. Louis.” So we have “South St. Louis” and county, “North St. Louis” and county, and in the county only a wedge between them called th “West End.” Kensington Avenue is less than half a mile north of Forest Park ( which was the fairgrounds in 1904). Should have been walkable? No, because most of the action at the fair was on what is now the south side of the park; so they truly needed that trolley.
My grandfather worked at one of the ice-maker displays, so his daughters has free passes to the fair and went as often as they liked. And his ice-making machines are a part of why we have ice cream cones.
As to umbrellas/parasols; we keep a collapsable umbrella in each car, so as to have one with us when we need it. I only use one when the rain is truly wet, but not so heavy it bouches up from the ground. When it’s that heavy you get soaked anyway, and an umbrella is just extra load.
In the 1930s my sister and I each had a child-sized parasol every summer. Made of oriental patterned oiled paper over the usual umbrella framework, they didn’t last through a winter. I think we mostly used them for make believe, but I do remember them fondly.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” here in real life. Funny that I never noticed the parasol scene. I grew up in SOUTH St. Louis. This is half of the political entity of the city of St. Louis, but “never the twain” of North and South St. Louis shall meet! — up to a point. My brother-in-law grew up in North St Louis. After marriage they lived in south St. Louis County (different political entity) but socially part of “South St. Louis.” So we have “South St. Louis” and county, “North St. Louis” and county, and in the county only a wedge between them called th “West End.” Kensington Avenue is less than half a mile north of Forest Park ( which was the fairgrounds in 1904). Should have been walkable? No, because most of the action at the fair was on what is now the south side of the park; so they truly needed that trolley.
My grandfather worked at one of the ice-maker displays, so his daughters has free passes to the fair and went as often as they liked. And his ice-making machines are a part of why we have ice cream cones.
As to umbrellas/parasols; we keep a collapsable umbrella in each car, so as to have one with us when we need it. I only use one when the rain is truly wet, but not so heavy it bouches up from the ground. When it’s that heavy you get soaked anyway, and an umbrella is just extra load.
In the 1930s my sister and I each had a child-sized parasol every summer. Made of oriental patterned oiled paper over the usual umbrella framework, they didn’t last through a winter. I think we mostly used them for make believe, but I do remember them fondly.
Brollie is very British to my ear; I’ve only ever known the word umbrella to be used in the US. I have an umbrella patterned with a Monet print that came from a museum store; it cheers up a gloomy day.
Brollie is very British to my ear; I’ve only ever known the word umbrella to be used in the US. I have an umbrella patterned with a Monet print that came from a museum store; it cheers up a gloomy day.
Brollie is very British to my ear; I’ve only ever known the word umbrella to be used in the US. I have an umbrella patterned with a Monet print that came from a museum store; it cheers up a gloomy day.
Brollie is very British to my ear; I’ve only ever known the word umbrella to be used in the US. I have an umbrella patterned with a Monet print that came from a museum store; it cheers up a gloomy day.
Brollie is very British to my ear; I’ve only ever known the word umbrella to be used in the US. I have an umbrella patterned with a Monet print that came from a museum store; it cheers up a gloomy day.
Bumbleshoot or bumbershoot. Someplace in my childhood I read something where an umbrella was called a bumbleshoot. Or bumbershoot. Or am I imagining the whole thing?
Bumbleshoot or bumbershoot. Someplace in my childhood I read something where an umbrella was called a bumbleshoot. Or bumbershoot. Or am I imagining the whole thing?
Bumbleshoot or bumbershoot. Someplace in my childhood I read something where an umbrella was called a bumbleshoot. Or bumbershoot. Or am I imagining the whole thing?
Bumbleshoot or bumbershoot. Someplace in my childhood I read something where an umbrella was called a bumbleshoot. Or bumbershoot. Or am I imagining the whole thing?
Bumbleshoot or bumbershoot. Someplace in my childhood I read something where an umbrella was called a bumbleshoot. Or bumbershoot. Or am I imagining the whole thing?
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bumbershoot
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bumbershoot
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bumbershoot
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bumbershoot
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bumbershoot
Thanks, Gail, it’s been years since I saw that movie, but I do —just— remember that scene. I think it’s time parasols came back in. I’m hoping for one like the ones in the paintings — so pretty.
Thanks, Gail, it’s been years since I saw that movie, but I do —just— remember that scene. I think it’s time parasols came back in. I’m hoping for one like the ones in the paintings — so pretty.
Thanks, Gail, it’s been years since I saw that movie, but I do —just— remember that scene. I think it’s time parasols came back in. I’m hoping for one like the ones in the paintings — so pretty.
Thanks, Gail, it’s been years since I saw that movie, but I do —just— remember that scene. I think it’s time parasols came back in. I’m hoping for one like the ones in the paintings — so pretty.
Thanks, Gail, it’s been years since I saw that movie, but I do —just— remember that scene. I think it’s time parasols came back in. I’m hoping for one like the ones in the paintings — so pretty.
“These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.”
Thanks, Shannon — yes I was thinking of her ‘Parasol Protectorate’ series, today too. A fun series. I’ve also seen quite a few Asian and African women in my area using umbrellas as a sun-shade. I suppose it makes sense to have a multi’purpose brolly/parasol — I’m just in love with the extravagant-looking ones in these paintings. *g*
“These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.”
Thanks, Shannon — yes I was thinking of her ‘Parasol Protectorate’ series, today too. A fun series. I’ve also seen quite a few Asian and African women in my area using umbrellas as a sun-shade. I suppose it makes sense to have a multi’purpose brolly/parasol — I’m just in love with the extravagant-looking ones in these paintings. *g*
“These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.”
Thanks, Shannon — yes I was thinking of her ‘Parasol Protectorate’ series, today too. A fun series. I’ve also seen quite a few Asian and African women in my area using umbrellas as a sun-shade. I suppose it makes sense to have a multi’purpose brolly/parasol — I’m just in love with the extravagant-looking ones in these paintings. *g*
“These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.”
Thanks, Shannon — yes I was thinking of her ‘Parasol Protectorate’ series, today too. A fun series. I’ve also seen quite a few Asian and African women in my area using umbrellas as a sun-shade. I suppose it makes sense to have a multi’purpose brolly/parasol — I’m just in love with the extravagant-looking ones in these paintings. *g*
“These days, ‘parasol’ makes me immediately think of Gail Carriger.”
Thanks, Shannon — yes I was thinking of her ‘Parasol Protectorate’ series, today too. A fun series. I’ve also seen quite a few Asian and African women in my area using umbrellas as a sun-shade. I suppose it makes sense to have a multi’purpose brolly/parasol — I’m just in love with the extravagant-looking ones in these paintings. *g*
Oana-Maria, I think that’s one of the reasons parasols are no longer so fashionable — having to hold them in your hand. The benefit of an umbrella is obvious — you don’t get wet, but a parasol makes a less dramatic difference. There are some very pretty umbrellas around, but for a parasol. I’d prefer a flatter shape, so enable the air to circulate.
Oana-Maria, I think that’s one of the reasons parasols are no longer so fashionable — having to hold them in your hand. The benefit of an umbrella is obvious — you don’t get wet, but a parasol makes a less dramatic difference. There are some very pretty umbrellas around, but for a parasol. I’d prefer a flatter shape, so enable the air to circulate.
Oana-Maria, I think that’s one of the reasons parasols are no longer so fashionable — having to hold them in your hand. The benefit of an umbrella is obvious — you don’t get wet, but a parasol makes a less dramatic difference. There are some very pretty umbrellas around, but for a parasol. I’d prefer a flatter shape, so enable the air to circulate.
Oana-Maria, I think that’s one of the reasons parasols are no longer so fashionable — having to hold them in your hand. The benefit of an umbrella is obvious — you don’t get wet, but a parasol makes a less dramatic difference. There are some very pretty umbrellas around, but for a parasol. I’d prefer a flatter shape, so enable the air to circulate.
Oana-Maria, I think that’s one of the reasons parasols are no longer so fashionable — having to hold them in your hand. The benefit of an umbrella is obvious — you don’t get wet, but a parasol makes a less dramatic difference. There are some very pretty umbrellas around, but for a parasol. I’d prefer a flatter shape, so enable the air to circulate.
Perhaps that’s what I’m yearning after, Mary — that slower, more graceful lifestyle. Lolling beside a river, or being punted in a boat. I hadn’t thought about old family photos — I must see if any of them contain parasols.
Perhaps that’s what I’m yearning after, Mary — that slower, more graceful lifestyle. Lolling beside a river, or being punted in a boat. I hadn’t thought about old family photos — I must see if any of them contain parasols.
Perhaps that’s what I’m yearning after, Mary — that slower, more graceful lifestyle. Lolling beside a river, or being punted in a boat. I hadn’t thought about old family photos — I must see if any of them contain parasols.
Perhaps that’s what I’m yearning after, Mary — that slower, more graceful lifestyle. Lolling beside a river, or being punted in a boat. I hadn’t thought about old family photos — I must see if any of them contain parasols.
Perhaps that’s what I’m yearning after, Mary — that slower, more graceful lifestyle. Lolling beside a river, or being punted in a boat. I hadn’t thought about old family photos — I must see if any of them contain parasols.
Vicki, I don’t think it looks dorky. The women I’ve seen carrying umbrellas in the sun look graceful and stylish to me. These days, with holes in the ozone layer that result on more skin cancers it makes sense to carry an umbrella or parasol in the sun. It’s a serious problem in Australia, where we’re closer to the south pole—the poles are where the holes are greater. Your butterfly one sounds very pretty.
Vicki, I don’t think it looks dorky. The women I’ve seen carrying umbrellas in the sun look graceful and stylish to me. These days, with holes in the ozone layer that result on more skin cancers it makes sense to carry an umbrella or parasol in the sun. It’s a serious problem in Australia, where we’re closer to the south pole—the poles are where the holes are greater. Your butterfly one sounds very pretty.
Vicki, I don’t think it looks dorky. The women I’ve seen carrying umbrellas in the sun look graceful and stylish to me. These days, with holes in the ozone layer that result on more skin cancers it makes sense to carry an umbrella or parasol in the sun. It’s a serious problem in Australia, where we’re closer to the south pole—the poles are where the holes are greater. Your butterfly one sounds very pretty.
Vicki, I don’t think it looks dorky. The women I’ve seen carrying umbrellas in the sun look graceful and stylish to me. These days, with holes in the ozone layer that result on more skin cancers it makes sense to carry an umbrella or parasol in the sun. It’s a serious problem in Australia, where we’re closer to the south pole—the poles are where the holes are greater. Your butterfly one sounds very pretty.
Vicki, I don’t think it looks dorky. The women I’ve seen carrying umbrellas in the sun look graceful and stylish to me. These days, with holes in the ozone layer that result on more skin cancers it makes sense to carry an umbrella or parasol in the sun. It’s a serious problem in Australia, where we’re closer to the south pole—the poles are where the holes are greater. Your butterfly one sounds very pretty.
A beach umbrella is very much a larger off-shoot of the parasol, I agree, Mary Jo. I suppose parasols are not so in fashion now because it’s fashionable to be tanned, and freckles are not regarded as a blemish, as they were in centuries past. Pity — they’re so pretty.
A beach umbrella is very much a larger off-shoot of the parasol, I agree, Mary Jo. I suppose parasols are not so in fashion now because it’s fashionable to be tanned, and freckles are not regarded as a blemish, as they were in centuries past. Pity — they’re so pretty.
A beach umbrella is very much a larger off-shoot of the parasol, I agree, Mary Jo. I suppose parasols are not so in fashion now because it’s fashionable to be tanned, and freckles are not regarded as a blemish, as they were in centuries past. Pity — they’re so pretty.
A beach umbrella is very much a larger off-shoot of the parasol, I agree, Mary Jo. I suppose parasols are not so in fashion now because it’s fashionable to be tanned, and freckles are not regarded as a blemish, as they were in centuries past. Pity — they’re so pretty.
A beach umbrella is very much a larger off-shoot of the parasol, I agree, Mary Jo. I suppose parasols are not so in fashion now because it’s fashionable to be tanned, and freckles are not regarded as a blemish, as they were in centuries past. Pity — they’re so pretty.
I also go through umbrellas like crazy, Patricia. I don’t acrtually use them often — I carry them in the car, more for other people. And when I do take them with me. I tend to forget them. I left a beautiful multi-colored golf umbrella on a tram (trolleycar) recently and still mourn its loss. Now the only large umbrella I have is large and hot pink and advertizes to the world that a) I have a dog and b) I often feed it a certain brand of dog-food. *g*
Those Buehr paintings are quite sumptuous, aren’t they. I have about a dozen more that I wanted to show.
I also go through umbrellas like crazy, Patricia. I don’t acrtually use them often — I carry them in the car, more for other people. And when I do take them with me. I tend to forget them. I left a beautiful multi-colored golf umbrella on a tram (trolleycar) recently and still mourn its loss. Now the only large umbrella I have is large and hot pink and advertizes to the world that a) I have a dog and b) I often feed it a certain brand of dog-food. *g*
Those Buehr paintings are quite sumptuous, aren’t they. I have about a dozen more that I wanted to show.
I also go through umbrellas like crazy, Patricia. I don’t acrtually use them often — I carry them in the car, more for other people. And when I do take them with me. I tend to forget them. I left a beautiful multi-colored golf umbrella on a tram (trolleycar) recently and still mourn its loss. Now the only large umbrella I have is large and hot pink and advertizes to the world that a) I have a dog and b) I often feed it a certain brand of dog-food. *g*
Those Buehr paintings are quite sumptuous, aren’t they. I have about a dozen more that I wanted to show.
I also go through umbrellas like crazy, Patricia. I don’t acrtually use them often — I carry them in the car, more for other people. And when I do take them with me. I tend to forget them. I left a beautiful multi-colored golf umbrella on a tram (trolleycar) recently and still mourn its loss. Now the only large umbrella I have is large and hot pink and advertizes to the world that a) I have a dog and b) I often feed it a certain brand of dog-food. *g*
Those Buehr paintings are quite sumptuous, aren’t they. I have about a dozen more that I wanted to show.
I also go through umbrellas like crazy, Patricia. I don’t acrtually use them often — I carry them in the car, more for other people. And when I do take them with me. I tend to forget them. I left a beautiful multi-colored golf umbrella on a tram (trolleycar) recently and still mourn its loss. Now the only large umbrella I have is large and hot pink and advertizes to the world that a) I have a dog and b) I often feed it a certain brand of dog-food. *g*
Those Buehr paintings are quite sumptuous, aren’t they. I have about a dozen more that I wanted to show.
When I was a little girl my best friend and I loved days that threatened rain but never delivered because we could take our umbrellas to school with us “just in case”. On the way home we would stop at a playground that had swings shaped like horses and pretend we were fine old fashioned ladies with our parasols out for an afternoon canter. A lovely memory! Now umbrellas are practical things used to keep the rain off my head during recess supervision. The old romance has gone, but I still see little girls on the playground, on threatening days, twirling their pink ruffled umbrellas over their shoulders. Fine ladies every one of them!
When I was a little girl my best friend and I loved days that threatened rain but never delivered because we could take our umbrellas to school with us “just in case”. On the way home we would stop at a playground that had swings shaped like horses and pretend we were fine old fashioned ladies with our parasols out for an afternoon canter. A lovely memory! Now umbrellas are practical things used to keep the rain off my head during recess supervision. The old romance has gone, but I still see little girls on the playground, on threatening days, twirling their pink ruffled umbrellas over their shoulders. Fine ladies every one of them!
When I was a little girl my best friend and I loved days that threatened rain but never delivered because we could take our umbrellas to school with us “just in case”. On the way home we would stop at a playground that had swings shaped like horses and pretend we were fine old fashioned ladies with our parasols out for an afternoon canter. A lovely memory! Now umbrellas are practical things used to keep the rain off my head during recess supervision. The old romance has gone, but I still see little girls on the playground, on threatening days, twirling their pink ruffled umbrellas over their shoulders. Fine ladies every one of them!
When I was a little girl my best friend and I loved days that threatened rain but never delivered because we could take our umbrellas to school with us “just in case”. On the way home we would stop at a playground that had swings shaped like horses and pretend we were fine old fashioned ladies with our parasols out for an afternoon canter. A lovely memory! Now umbrellas are practical things used to keep the rain off my head during recess supervision. The old romance has gone, but I still see little girls on the playground, on threatening days, twirling their pink ruffled umbrellas over their shoulders. Fine ladies every one of them!
When I was a little girl my best friend and I loved days that threatened rain but never delivered because we could take our umbrellas to school with us “just in case”. On the way home we would stop at a playground that had swings shaped like horses and pretend we were fine old fashioned ladies with our parasols out for an afternoon canter. A lovely memory! Now umbrellas are practical things used to keep the rain off my head during recess supervision. The old romance has gone, but I still see little girls on the playground, on threatening days, twirling their pink ruffled umbrellas over their shoulders. Fine ladies every one of them!
I’m a bit like you, Stephanie, in that I hardly every use an umbrella. I’m not that fussed about a bit of rain. But the ladies and girls of other nationalities that use them in sunny weather look so pretty, I think.
I’m a bit like you, Stephanie, in that I hardly every use an umbrella. I’m not that fussed about a bit of rain. But the ladies and girls of other nationalities that use them in sunny weather look so pretty, I think.
I’m a bit like you, Stephanie, in that I hardly every use an umbrella. I’m not that fussed about a bit of rain. But the ladies and girls of other nationalities that use them in sunny weather look so pretty, I think.
I’m a bit like you, Stephanie, in that I hardly every use an umbrella. I’m not that fussed about a bit of rain. But the ladies and girls of other nationalities that use them in sunny weather look so pretty, I think.
I’m a bit like you, Stephanie, in that I hardly every use an umbrella. I’m not that fussed about a bit of rain. But the ladies and girls of other nationalities that use them in sunny weather look so pretty, I think.
LOL, Lilian — yes, they’re the kind of parasols I see most often, too. The Thai waxed paper and bamboo ones are very pretty, but too heavy to carry. I’m sure there are light, pretty ones around somewhere.
LOL, Lilian — yes, they’re the kind of parasols I see most often, too. The Thai waxed paper and bamboo ones are very pretty, but too heavy to carry. I’m sure there are light, pretty ones around somewhere.
LOL, Lilian — yes, they’re the kind of parasols I see most often, too. The Thai waxed paper and bamboo ones are very pretty, but too heavy to carry. I’m sure there are light, pretty ones around somewhere.
LOL, Lilian — yes, they’re the kind of parasols I see most often, too. The Thai waxed paper and bamboo ones are very pretty, but too heavy to carry. I’m sure there are light, pretty ones around somewhere.
LOL, Lilian — yes, they’re the kind of parasols I see most often, too. The Thai waxed paper and bamboo ones are very pretty, but too heavy to carry. I’m sure there are light, pretty ones around somewhere.
Wow, Sue, what lovely memories. Those early ice-cream makers sure did have to work hard for their ice-cream. I did a post on early ice-cream making once. The painted Thai oiled paper parasols come in small sizes, too. I have quite a few away to small girls who loved them to bits, strolling and twirling their parasols like ladies of old. So sweet.
In Melbourne, where I live, we have “north of the river” and “south of the river” — though the associations are long in the past.
Wow, Sue, what lovely memories. Those early ice-cream makers sure did have to work hard for their ice-cream. I did a post on early ice-cream making once. The painted Thai oiled paper parasols come in small sizes, too. I have quite a few away to small girls who loved them to bits, strolling and twirling their parasols like ladies of old. So sweet.
In Melbourne, where I live, we have “north of the river” and “south of the river” — though the associations are long in the past.
Wow, Sue, what lovely memories. Those early ice-cream makers sure did have to work hard for their ice-cream. I did a post on early ice-cream making once. The painted Thai oiled paper parasols come in small sizes, too. I have quite a few away to small girls who loved them to bits, strolling and twirling their parasols like ladies of old. So sweet.
In Melbourne, where I live, we have “north of the river” and “south of the river” — though the associations are long in the past.
Wow, Sue, what lovely memories. Those early ice-cream makers sure did have to work hard for their ice-cream. I did a post on early ice-cream making once. The painted Thai oiled paper parasols come in small sizes, too. I have quite a few away to small girls who loved them to bits, strolling and twirling their parasols like ladies of old. So sweet.
In Melbourne, where I live, we have “north of the river” and “south of the river” — though the associations are long in the past.
Wow, Sue, what lovely memories. Those early ice-cream makers sure did have to work hard for their ice-cream. I did a post on early ice-cream making once. The painted Thai oiled paper parasols come in small sizes, too. I have quite a few away to small girls who loved them to bits, strolling and twirling their parasols like ladies of old. So sweet.
In Melbourne, where I live, we have “north of the river” and “south of the river” — though the associations are long in the past.
Kareni, yes, “brolly” is very British, but it’s also very common in Australia and NZ and I assume maybe in Canada. A Monet print brolly sounds wonderful. Something to brighten an otherwise gloomy day.
Kareni, yes, “brolly” is very British, but it’s also very common in Australia and NZ and I assume maybe in Canada. A Monet print brolly sounds wonderful. Something to brighten an otherwise gloomy day.
Kareni, yes, “brolly” is very British, but it’s also very common in Australia and NZ and I assume maybe in Canada. A Monet print brolly sounds wonderful. Something to brighten an otherwise gloomy day.
Kareni, yes, “brolly” is very British, but it’s also very common in Australia and NZ and I assume maybe in Canada. A Monet print brolly sounds wonderful. Something to brighten an otherwise gloomy day.
Kareni, yes, “brolly” is very British, but it’s also very common in Australia and NZ and I assume maybe in Canada. A Monet print brolly sounds wonderful. Something to brighten an otherwise gloomy day.
Never heard of that, Lillian — though I love the word. Apparently it is a US term. When I was digging into the etymology of the words, I saw that “Gamp” was a British term for an umbrella — from Dickens’s Mrs Gamp who carried one, but it’s obsolete now. I’ve never heard anyone use it. Perhaps some of our British readers might have.
Never heard of that, Lillian — though I love the word. Apparently it is a US term. When I was digging into the etymology of the words, I saw that “Gamp” was a British term for an umbrella — from Dickens’s Mrs Gamp who carried one, but it’s obsolete now. I’ve never heard anyone use it. Perhaps some of our British readers might have.
Never heard of that, Lillian — though I love the word. Apparently it is a US term. When I was digging into the etymology of the words, I saw that “Gamp” was a British term for an umbrella — from Dickens’s Mrs Gamp who carried one, but it’s obsolete now. I’ve never heard anyone use it. Perhaps some of our British readers might have.
Never heard of that, Lillian — though I love the word. Apparently it is a US term. When I was digging into the etymology of the words, I saw that “Gamp” was a British term for an umbrella — from Dickens’s Mrs Gamp who carried one, but it’s obsolete now. I’ve never heard anyone use it. Perhaps some of our British readers might have.
Never heard of that, Lillian — though I love the word. Apparently it is a US term. When I was digging into the etymology of the words, I saw that “Gamp” was a British term for an umbrella — from Dickens’s Mrs Gamp who carried one, but it’s obsolete now. I’ve never heard anyone use it. Perhaps some of our British readers might have.
A lovely image, Jana. There’s something about a frilly umbrella that brings the fine lady out in a little girl. That is one kind of little girl, however. I was the other kind, the bad tomboy kind, and to this day the feel of a proper umbrella (not a fold up one) in my hand prompts me to revert to my Three Musketeers phase and seek a brolly sword fight. *g*
A lovely image, Jana. There’s something about a frilly umbrella that brings the fine lady out in a little girl. That is one kind of little girl, however. I was the other kind, the bad tomboy kind, and to this day the feel of a proper umbrella (not a fold up one) in my hand prompts me to revert to my Three Musketeers phase and seek a brolly sword fight. *g*
A lovely image, Jana. There’s something about a frilly umbrella that brings the fine lady out in a little girl. That is one kind of little girl, however. I was the other kind, the bad tomboy kind, and to this day the feel of a proper umbrella (not a fold up one) in my hand prompts me to revert to my Three Musketeers phase and seek a brolly sword fight. *g*
A lovely image, Jana. There’s something about a frilly umbrella that brings the fine lady out in a little girl. That is one kind of little girl, however. I was the other kind, the bad tomboy kind, and to this day the feel of a proper umbrella (not a fold up one) in my hand prompts me to revert to my Three Musketeers phase and seek a brolly sword fight. *g*
A lovely image, Jana. There’s something about a frilly umbrella that brings the fine lady out in a little girl. That is one kind of little girl, however. I was the other kind, the bad tomboy kind, and to this day the feel of a proper umbrella (not a fold up one) in my hand prompts me to revert to my Three Musketeers phase and seek a brolly sword fight. *g*
I see a few of those too! Usually with less pink and frilly umbrellas though! Most of the little girls in my school are South East Asian…. I suspect being ladylike is fairly important to most of them. Lots of traditional gender roles are encouraged at home I suspect.
I see a few of those too! Usually with less pink and frilly umbrellas though! Most of the little girls in my school are South East Asian…. I suspect being ladylike is fairly important to most of them. Lots of traditional gender roles are encouraged at home I suspect.
I see a few of those too! Usually with less pink and frilly umbrellas though! Most of the little girls in my school are South East Asian…. I suspect being ladylike is fairly important to most of them. Lots of traditional gender roles are encouraged at home I suspect.
I see a few of those too! Usually with less pink and frilly umbrellas though! Most of the little girls in my school are South East Asian…. I suspect being ladylike is fairly important to most of them. Lots of traditional gender roles are encouraged at home I suspect.
I see a few of those too! Usually with less pink and frilly umbrellas though! Most of the little girls in my school are South East Asian…. I suspect being ladylike is fairly important to most of them. Lots of traditional gender roles are encouraged at home I suspect.
Jana, yes, being ladylike and graceful is encouraged, I’m sure. Most of the Asians I know also don’t like to have tanned skin, or freckles, which is why umbrellas are so popular in sunny weather.
Jana, yes, being ladylike and graceful is encouraged, I’m sure. Most of the Asians I know also don’t like to have tanned skin, or freckles, which is why umbrellas are so popular in sunny weather.
Jana, yes, being ladylike and graceful is encouraged, I’m sure. Most of the Asians I know also don’t like to have tanned skin, or freckles, which is why umbrellas are so popular in sunny weather.
Jana, yes, being ladylike and graceful is encouraged, I’m sure. Most of the Asians I know also don’t like to have tanned skin, or freckles, which is why umbrellas are so popular in sunny weather.
Jana, yes, being ladylike and graceful is encouraged, I’m sure. Most of the Asians I know also don’t like to have tanned skin, or freckles, which is why umbrellas are so popular in sunny weather.
And I’m thinking now of my daughter in first grade who used her umbrella to fence. Sadly, the umbrella did not survive the match.
And I’m thinking now of my daughter in first grade who used her umbrella to fence. Sadly, the umbrella did not survive the match.
And I’m thinking now of my daughter in first grade who used her umbrella to fence. Sadly, the umbrella did not survive the match.
And I’m thinking now of my daughter in first grade who used her umbrella to fence. Sadly, the umbrella did not survive the match.
And I’m thinking now of my daughter in first grade who used her umbrella to fence. Sadly, the umbrella did not survive the match.
I have had many an umbrella in my life. Sadly they met with unfortunate encounters with automatic doors, a tyrannical chihuahua, a rainstorm which heralded a tornado and any number of car doors, thefts and memory lapses which resulted in them being left behind. I try to keep one in the car and one in the house.
I would LOVE to own some of the lovely parasols I have seen in my travels. They truly are works of art! I love the lace and beaded ones.
I think I would like to be in the painting with the Scottish soldier. It looks as if everyone is having a grand time!
I have had many an umbrella in my life. Sadly they met with unfortunate encounters with automatic doors, a tyrannical chihuahua, a rainstorm which heralded a tornado and any number of car doors, thefts and memory lapses which resulted in them being left behind. I try to keep one in the car and one in the house.
I would LOVE to own some of the lovely parasols I have seen in my travels. They truly are works of art! I love the lace and beaded ones.
I think I would like to be in the painting with the Scottish soldier. It looks as if everyone is having a grand time!
I have had many an umbrella in my life. Sadly they met with unfortunate encounters with automatic doors, a tyrannical chihuahua, a rainstorm which heralded a tornado and any number of car doors, thefts and memory lapses which resulted in them being left behind. I try to keep one in the car and one in the house.
I would LOVE to own some of the lovely parasols I have seen in my travels. They truly are works of art! I love the lace and beaded ones.
I think I would like to be in the painting with the Scottish soldier. It looks as if everyone is having a grand time!
I have had many an umbrella in my life. Sadly they met with unfortunate encounters with automatic doors, a tyrannical chihuahua, a rainstorm which heralded a tornado and any number of car doors, thefts and memory lapses which resulted in them being left behind. I try to keep one in the car and one in the house.
I would LOVE to own some of the lovely parasols I have seen in my travels. They truly are works of art! I love the lace and beaded ones.
I think I would like to be in the painting with the Scottish soldier. It looks as if everyone is having a grand time!
I have had many an umbrella in my life. Sadly they met with unfortunate encounters with automatic doors, a tyrannical chihuahua, a rainstorm which heralded a tornado and any number of car doors, thefts and memory lapses which resulted in them being left behind. I try to keep one in the car and one in the house.
I would LOVE to own some of the lovely parasols I have seen in my travels. They truly are works of art! I love the lace and beaded ones.
I think I would like to be in the painting with the Scottish soldier. It looks as if everyone is having a grand time!
LOL Kareni — so lovely to think that there are still little girls who want to fence with umbrellas, instead of twirl prettily.
LOL Kareni — so lovely to think that there are still little girls who want to fence with umbrellas, instead of twirl prettily.
LOL Kareni — so lovely to think that there are still little girls who want to fence with umbrellas, instead of twirl prettily.
LOL Kareni — so lovely to think that there are still little girls who want to fence with umbrellas, instead of twirl prettily.
LOL Kareni — so lovely to think that there are still little girls who want to fence with umbrellas, instead of twirl prettily.
Yes, the fate of umbrellas is far from secure, I agree, Louisa. And the fold-up ones so often turn inside-out.
I’m not so sure about everyone enjoying themselves on that Scottish soldier image — the girl hunched under the open parasol looks very much like she’s sulking to me, while her friend is getting freckled to bits as she charms the braw Scotsman. *g*
Yes, the fate of umbrellas is far from secure, I agree, Louisa. And the fold-up ones so often turn inside-out.
I’m not so sure about everyone enjoying themselves on that Scottish soldier image — the girl hunched under the open parasol looks very much like she’s sulking to me, while her friend is getting freckled to bits as she charms the braw Scotsman. *g*
Yes, the fate of umbrellas is far from secure, I agree, Louisa. And the fold-up ones so often turn inside-out.
I’m not so sure about everyone enjoying themselves on that Scottish soldier image — the girl hunched under the open parasol looks very much like she’s sulking to me, while her friend is getting freckled to bits as she charms the braw Scotsman. *g*
Yes, the fate of umbrellas is far from secure, I agree, Louisa. And the fold-up ones so often turn inside-out.
I’m not so sure about everyone enjoying themselves on that Scottish soldier image — the girl hunched under the open parasol looks very much like she’s sulking to me, while her friend is getting freckled to bits as she charms the braw Scotsman. *g*
Yes, the fate of umbrellas is far from secure, I agree, Louisa. And the fold-up ones so often turn inside-out.
I’m not so sure about everyone enjoying themselves on that Scottish soldier image — the girl hunched under the open parasol looks very much like she’s sulking to me, while her friend is getting freckled to bits as she charms the braw Scotsman. *g*
When I was in my teens, someone gave me an umbrella from the venerable James Smith in London. https://www.james-smith.co.uk It was olive green and – oh the joy – pagoda- shaped. I loved it. Of course it was much too sophisticated for me. Eventually I lost it, as i lawyers lose umbrellas. But for a time we were totally happy together.
My grandmother had two Japanese paper parasols which I used to play with as a small girl. Apparently there was a vogue for them, possibly in the Edwardian era. I suspect they were a present from her seafaring brother George who often sailed to the Far East, according to family legend. They were beautifully made with polished bamboo frames and delicate water colour of plum blossom on the canopies, each different.
When I was in my teens, someone gave me an umbrella from the venerable James Smith in London. https://www.james-smith.co.uk It was olive green and – oh the joy – pagoda- shaped. I loved it. Of course it was much too sophisticated for me. Eventually I lost it, as i lawyers lose umbrellas. But for a time we were totally happy together.
My grandmother had two Japanese paper parasols which I used to play with as a small girl. Apparently there was a vogue for them, possibly in the Edwardian era. I suspect they were a present from her seafaring brother George who often sailed to the Far East, according to family legend. They were beautifully made with polished bamboo frames and delicate water colour of plum blossom on the canopies, each different.
When I was in my teens, someone gave me an umbrella from the venerable James Smith in London. https://www.james-smith.co.uk It was olive green and – oh the joy – pagoda- shaped. I loved it. Of course it was much too sophisticated for me. Eventually I lost it, as i lawyers lose umbrellas. But for a time we were totally happy together.
My grandmother had two Japanese paper parasols which I used to play with as a small girl. Apparently there was a vogue for them, possibly in the Edwardian era. I suspect they were a present from her seafaring brother George who often sailed to the Far East, according to family legend. They were beautifully made with polished bamboo frames and delicate water colour of plum blossom on the canopies, each different.
When I was in my teens, someone gave me an umbrella from the venerable James Smith in London. https://www.james-smith.co.uk It was olive green and – oh the joy – pagoda- shaped. I loved it. Of course it was much too sophisticated for me. Eventually I lost it, as i lawyers lose umbrellas. But for a time we were totally happy together.
My grandmother had two Japanese paper parasols which I used to play with as a small girl. Apparently there was a vogue for them, possibly in the Edwardian era. I suspect they were a present from her seafaring brother George who often sailed to the Far East, according to family legend. They were beautifully made with polished bamboo frames and delicate water colour of plum blossom on the canopies, each different.
When I was in my teens, someone gave me an umbrella from the venerable James Smith in London. https://www.james-smith.co.uk It was olive green and – oh the joy – pagoda- shaped. I loved it. Of course it was much too sophisticated for me. Eventually I lost it, as i lawyers lose umbrellas. But for a time we were totally happy together.
My grandmother had two Japanese paper parasols which I used to play with as a small girl. Apparently there was a vogue for them, possibly in the Edwardian era. I suspect they were a present from her seafaring brother George who often sailed to the Far East, according to family legend. They were beautifully made with polished bamboo frames and delicate water colour of plum blossom on the canopies, each different.
Sophie, that pagoda-shaped umbrella from James Smith sounds wonderful — so unusual and elegant. And fun! Not at all too sophisticated for you!
I hadn’t known about James Smith so thanks for the reference and the link. What a shame they didn’t open up a few years earlier so I could have used them in a book. *g*
The various Asian paper parasols—Japanese, Chinese, Thai etc— are lovely. Delicate yet durable, and so pretty.
Sophie, that pagoda-shaped umbrella from James Smith sounds wonderful — so unusual and elegant. And fun! Not at all too sophisticated for you!
I hadn’t known about James Smith so thanks for the reference and the link. What a shame they didn’t open up a few years earlier so I could have used them in a book. *g*
The various Asian paper parasols—Japanese, Chinese, Thai etc— are lovely. Delicate yet durable, and so pretty.
Sophie, that pagoda-shaped umbrella from James Smith sounds wonderful — so unusual and elegant. And fun! Not at all too sophisticated for you!
I hadn’t known about James Smith so thanks for the reference and the link. What a shame they didn’t open up a few years earlier so I could have used them in a book. *g*
The various Asian paper parasols—Japanese, Chinese, Thai etc— are lovely. Delicate yet durable, and so pretty.
Sophie, that pagoda-shaped umbrella from James Smith sounds wonderful — so unusual and elegant. And fun! Not at all too sophisticated for you!
I hadn’t known about James Smith so thanks for the reference and the link. What a shame they didn’t open up a few years earlier so I could have used them in a book. *g*
The various Asian paper parasols—Japanese, Chinese, Thai etc— are lovely. Delicate yet durable, and so pretty.
Sophie, that pagoda-shaped umbrella from James Smith sounds wonderful — so unusual and elegant. And fun! Not at all too sophisticated for you!
I hadn’t known about James Smith so thanks for the reference and the link. What a shame they didn’t open up a few years earlier so I could have used them in a book. *g*
The various Asian paper parasols—Japanese, Chinese, Thai etc— are lovely. Delicate yet durable, and so pretty.
I can’t quite think of a folding umbrella as a brolly. That is a large, black one suitable as a weapon and to protect against heavy rain. I had or have a parasol around some place. It was wood and paper. My daughter might have taken it for her daughter. Too much trouble to carry. Once had a small silk one but that disappeared someplace as items often do.
I don’t think that picture of the girl with the green umbrella is the novelist Jane Austen. The clothes are wrong for the time when she would have been that age.
I can’t quite think of a folding umbrella as a brolly. That is a large, black one suitable as a weapon and to protect against heavy rain. I had or have a parasol around some place. It was wood and paper. My daughter might have taken it for her daughter. Too much trouble to carry. Once had a small silk one but that disappeared someplace as items often do.
I don’t think that picture of the girl with the green umbrella is the novelist Jane Austen. The clothes are wrong for the time when she would have been that age.
I can’t quite think of a folding umbrella as a brolly. That is a large, black one suitable as a weapon and to protect against heavy rain. I had or have a parasol around some place. It was wood and paper. My daughter might have taken it for her daughter. Too much trouble to carry. Once had a small silk one but that disappeared someplace as items often do.
I don’t think that picture of the girl with the green umbrella is the novelist Jane Austen. The clothes are wrong for the time when she would have been that age.
I can’t quite think of a folding umbrella as a brolly. That is a large, black one suitable as a weapon and to protect against heavy rain. I had or have a parasol around some place. It was wood and paper. My daughter might have taken it for her daughter. Too much trouble to carry. Once had a small silk one but that disappeared someplace as items often do.
I don’t think that picture of the girl with the green umbrella is the novelist Jane Austen. The clothes are wrong for the time when she would have been that age.
I can’t quite think of a folding umbrella as a brolly. That is a large, black one suitable as a weapon and to protect against heavy rain. I had or have a parasol around some place. It was wood and paper. My daughter might have taken it for her daughter. Too much trouble to carry. Once had a small silk one but that disappeared someplace as items often do.
I don’t think that picture of the girl with the green umbrella is the novelist Jane Austen. The clothes are wrong for the time when she would have been that age.
Bumbershoot is American — I heard it in my youth, but mostly as a comic term. I think perhaps it was made up by one of our writers (such as Mark Twain or Bret Harte) as a fake rural term. But Mark Twain grew up rural (or part of Missouri is very close to his) so maybe it was a rural term before the Civil War.
Bumbershoot is American — I heard it in my youth, but mostly as a comic term. I think perhaps it was made up by one of our writers (such as Mark Twain or Bret Harte) as a fake rural term. But Mark Twain grew up rural (or part of Missouri is very close to his) so maybe it was a rural term before the Civil War.
Bumbershoot is American — I heard it in my youth, but mostly as a comic term. I think perhaps it was made up by one of our writers (such as Mark Twain or Bret Harte) as a fake rural term. But Mark Twain grew up rural (or part of Missouri is very close to his) so maybe it was a rural term before the Civil War.
Bumbershoot is American — I heard it in my youth, but mostly as a comic term. I think perhaps it was made up by one of our writers (such as Mark Twain or Bret Harte) as a fake rural term. But Mark Twain grew up rural (or part of Missouri is very close to his) so maybe it was a rural term before the Civil War.
Bumbershoot is American — I heard it in my youth, but mostly as a comic term. I think perhaps it was made up by one of our writers (such as Mark Twain or Bret Harte) as a fake rural term. But Mark Twain grew up rural (or part of Missouri is very close to his) so maybe it was a rural term before the Civil War.
There is always debate about the validity of various paintings and sketches of Jane Austen, Nancy. I found that one on a site where the painting was labeled “Jane Austen, by Ozias Humphry, 1788” which is how I labelled it. I don’t actually care whether it’s of Jane Austen or not — I was showing the parasol. *g*
The wikipedia entry is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rice_portrait
There is always debate about the validity of various paintings and sketches of Jane Austen, Nancy. I found that one on a site where the painting was labeled “Jane Austen, by Ozias Humphry, 1788” which is how I labelled it. I don’t actually care whether it’s of Jane Austen or not — I was showing the parasol. *g*
The wikipedia entry is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rice_portrait
There is always debate about the validity of various paintings and sketches of Jane Austen, Nancy. I found that one on a site where the painting was labeled “Jane Austen, by Ozias Humphry, 1788” which is how I labelled it. I don’t actually care whether it’s of Jane Austen or not — I was showing the parasol. *g*
The wikipedia entry is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rice_portrait
There is always debate about the validity of various paintings and sketches of Jane Austen, Nancy. I found that one on a site where the painting was labeled “Jane Austen, by Ozias Humphry, 1788” which is how I labelled it. I don’t actually care whether it’s of Jane Austen or not — I was showing the parasol. *g*
The wikipedia entry is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rice_portrait
There is always debate about the validity of various paintings and sketches of Jane Austen, Nancy. I found that one on a site where the painting was labeled “Jane Austen, by Ozias Humphry, 1788” which is how I labelled it. I don’t actually care whether it’s of Jane Austen or not — I was showing the parasol. *g*
The wikipedia entry is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rice_portrait
[1915–20; bumber-, alter. of umbrella + -shoot, resp. of -chute in parachute]
[1915–20; bumber-, alter. of umbrella + -shoot, resp. of -chute in parachute]
[1915–20; bumber-, alter. of umbrella + -shoot, resp. of -chute in parachute]
[1915–20; bumber-, alter. of umbrella + -shoot, resp. of -chute in parachute]
[1915–20; bumber-, alter. of umbrella + -shoot, resp. of -chute in parachute]
Oh, I used to live near James Smith, and had to walk past it a few times a day. I never went in, however. No idea why not…
Oh, I used to live near James Smith, and had to walk past it a few times a day. I never went in, however. No idea why not…
Oh, I used to live near James Smith, and had to walk past it a few times a day. I never went in, however. No idea why not…
Oh, I used to live near James Smith, and had to walk past it a few times a day. I never went in, however. No idea why not…
Oh, I used to live near James Smith, and had to walk past it a few times a day. I never went in, however. No idea why not…